Holidaying with a baby? .... You must be joking!

By Carol Brazel, Feb 14 2018 04:03PM

You might think that renting a holiday cottage or apartment is the perfect break with babies and toddlers, until that is you start to think of all that kit you need to pack into the car!

What about sterilising the bottles?

Our places have electric steam sterilisers which are tested regularly and replaced as necessary.

What about all the nappies I’ll have to fit into the car?

Order nappies with your supermarket delivery and while your on-line you can order groceries so the only shopping you need to do while on holiday is fresh local produce from the quay and farm shop.

What about mealtimes?

Mealtimes should be a time to enjoy time together as a family. We provide high chairs (and booster seats) and the floors in the kitchen and dining areas are wipe-down (tiles or wood). You will also find plastic plates, bowls, beakers and cutlery (possibly the same as you have at home, let’s face it, most families with children have something from IKEA even the Royals!) There is also a microwave, essential if you’re in a rush and a hand blender.

What about child-friendly restaurants within walking distance?

Don’t forget you are on holiday and deserve a meal out now and again. The Gallivant, just a couple of minutes walk from The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster at Camber Sands, is a lovely seaside bistro and restaurant which welcomes children. Their children’s menu is straight forward and made from scratch - not an e-number or preservative in sight! The grown-ups’ menu is great too, making the most of local ingredients. If you fancy going a little further afield, there are also many fantastic and child-friendly eating places in Rye, a little, medieval town just a few minutes away by car.

Of course, if you are staying at Sea Fizz, Brighton has many child-friendly restaurants, some familiar and some new. Brighton Marina itself has Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Cafe Rouge, Zizzi and many more.

What about bath-time?

A non-slip bathmat is provided in each property. You will also find a few bath-friendly toys. We do, of course, provide towels for all our guests, including babies.

What about bedtime?

There are two travel cots at each property. We don’t provide cot linen as we have found that most babies seem to prefer their own blankets, sheets, snuggle bags, whatever. There are also a bed guards available for toddlers who still like a bit of extra security. In The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster you will find baby monitors so you can enjoy a relaxing evening while your baby sleeps upstairs. Sea Fizz is much smaller so you should be able to hear you baby in the bedroom while you relax in the lounge or on the balcony. You will also find a selection of bed-time stories to share at all our holiday homes.

What about the stairs?

Sea Fizz is on one level so there are no stairs and at The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster there are stair gates at the top and bottom of each flight of steps.

I am potty training my toddler. Will that be an issue?

There is a toddler step at each property to help little ones climb onto the loo or reach the basin. There is also a potty so you don’t need to bring your child’s own.

Is there space for me to “park” my pram/ buggy?

The Salty Dog and Sea Fizz have a garage right by the front door in which you can store equipment/ bikes whatever. Even with an average sized car inside, you will still have room for a buggy. At Rock Lobster there is a large secure shed in the back garden.

Will I need to bring a lot of toys with me?

All babies and children naturally have their own favourite toys and I’m afraid you will probably not be able to avoid bringing some of those! However, you will find a selection of good quality, well-maintained toys in both properties. Things like Mega-Bloks, puzzle trays, shape sorters and books. At The Salty Dog and Rock Lobster you will also find buckets and spades other outdoor toys for use in the garden and on the beach. In the cosy playroom, adjacent to the kitchen at The Salty Dog, children have their own TV and DVD selection a small sofa, some bean bags and a much wider selection of toys, books and games. There’s also table football which nobody is too old for!

But we’ve got twins!

Not a problem! At all our holiday homes there are two travel cots, two high chairs and two booster seats. We have even had triplets stay at The Salty Dog, we do need a few days notice for this though to get the extra cot/ highchairs sorted.